Improvement in draw-bridge safety switches and signals



E. H. TUBEY.

' INVEN TUFL K EMLAJAMBJM. m mwwwfi ILUNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

nmsna H. TOBEY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, 'ASSIGNOR To HIMSELF AND ST. LOUIS RAILWAY SUPPLIES MANUFACTURI NG COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. T

" MPROVEMENT IN DRAW-BRIDGE S'AFETV'SWlTCHES-AND SIGNALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,319, dated June 24, 1 373; application flsd January 10, 1872.

3 Toall whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat-I, ELISHA H. TOBEY, of

cation My invention consists in the combination of l the bolt by which the draw of a draw-bridge is secured, with a switch by which the train may be directed onto a side track if the draw is not in position to receive it.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan of a part of the same, both figures representing the draw as closed and locked in position.

A-is one end of a draw, and B the framework supporting the railway track b, against which the track a of the drawabnts when the draw is closed. 0 is the bolt-keeper attached to the draw. D is the draw-bolt, having upon its side a rack, d, engaging a spur-wheel, e, on the turn-staff or shaft. E, which is turned" by'a hand-wheel, F. At the upper end of this staii' is a signal-lantern, G, having two red glasses, 9, and two green glasses, 9, indicating safety to the road .and danger to the river, or vice versa. A one fonrth rotationof the wheel F serves to withdraw or shoot the bolt E, and to reverse the indication of the signals. Upon the staii' E is a crank-arm, e, connected by a rod, h, to a similar crank-arm, h, upon the statf H of the signal-lantern G, similar to G,

and havin similar movement by means of the cranks an rode h h, the two signals turning simultaneously. 1 is a pulley or sheave on r the turn-staff E, to which is firmly attacheda wire or wire-rope, 1', that is also attached to the sheave J upon the combined switch and signal-stun K, which has at the lower end a crank erin, k, by which any ordinary switch maybe operated. L is a lever by which the stall K may be turned and the switch worked hilepeialentl, when disconnected from the drawholt. "he lever L thtiis in a horizontalsinus, and rests on a semicircular guide-bar,

' to which itmay be locked or secured ill any position. At the upperend of the'stafi' K are day and night signals, consisting, respectively, of arms M and a lantern, N, firmly attached together and to the staff, so as to turn with certainty therewith and with each other. The signal-lantern N always shows the same sig nals as those, G G, viz: A green light in the direction of the railway track when the draw is closed,.and a red light when the bolt is drawn out. The turn-staff K is supported in brackets extendingfrom a post, 0, that may be made of considerable height and have an elevated platform, 1. The signals M N inlay be at a distance of half a mile, more or less, from the draw, so as to allow ample time for the engineer to govern himself by the signal. When carried any considerable distance, the wire or wire rope i passes over sheaves or other supports.

By the application of my improvements accidents at draw-bridges may be avoided, as the draw-bolt cannot be drawn out without exhibiting the dangersignals G G M N, a sd at the same time operating, by means of the. switch-lever k, a switch at the signal-post o to run oif the train upon a side track when the draw is not secured.

The special advantage, in addition to the saving of time, of operating the near and distant signals simultaneously with the drawbolt, is that resnltin g from certainty of action, as the draw cannot be at any time opened without the railway danger-signals being shown, nor closed withontsignal'ing danger to the river.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The draw-bridge bolt D and switch-arm k for operating the switch, located at a consid- 'erable distance apart, in combination with the connections 6 E F 11' J K, for ope'r'ating one from the other, as explained.

ELISHA H. TOBEY,

Witnesses:

BAML Kmcn'r, R. '1. Hammer. 

